Raleigh Wedding Dress Castle McCulloch

Top 5 Wedding Dress Shops in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina

by with 4 Comments Wedding Tips and Tricks

Top 5 Wedding Dress Shops in Raleigh/Durham, NC

Prepare to say yes to the dress!

Congratulations! You’ve said Yes with a capital Y to the love of your life. How exciting is that? We’re so happy for you! Have you decided on the dress? Is it going to be crisp white or slightly beige? Veil, or no veil? Crystals or pearls? Oh, you want a mesmerizing dress and details that will tell your story.

Now you know we’ve served quite a few brides recently. Many of them are from the Raleigh/Durham area and each one was wearing a gorgeous gown. But only a few were very happy with their dress quest experiences, so we want to share with you the wedding dress shops they were so fond of.

Gavin Christianson Bridal Boutique of Durham, NC

At this wedding dress boutique, everyone is passionate about being size-inclusive. They have every size in stock and provide a safe space for every bride to focus on how she feels when trying out dresses. Mid-size, curvy, and plus-sized is their specialty but they provide an intimate shopping experience that elevates and empowers brides – regardless of their size, body type, and shape. Visit their site now by clicking here!

New York Bride & Groom of Raleigh, NC

If setting up appointments stresses you out, this might easily become your favorite wedding dress store. They have over 20 bridal suites and over 1.000 gowns in stock! And you and your favorite people will be warmly welcomed at any time to choose and try any dress you like from the largest selection in the South. Visit their site now by clicking here!

Gilded Bridal of Raleigh, NC

In essence, this shop is solely focused on the bride, so bridesmaids, moms, and guests will have to go shopping somewhere else. This wedding dress shop is conveniently located in Raleigh’s Glenwood South neighborhood. Each dress displayed here is created with high quality, beautiful fabrics, and attention to detail. Their gowns and accessories are designers’ work, and whether it’s chic couture, a statement dress, or a romantic lace gown – it is all gilded in high quality. Visit their site now by clicking here!

Bella Bridesmaids of Cary, NC

Bella offers dresses in every style, size, and color you can imagine. Their selection is displayed with filters by length, color, budget, and fabric; so browsing their offers is such a time-saver for those who know what they came for. Choosing a bridal gown can be an emotional experience so taking out any extra pressure from it may result in lots of fun. Visit their site now by clicking here!

Simply Blush Bridal of Wendell, NC

Simply Blush is here to uplift and encourage the bride, and serve every woman on her journey toward building a meaningful marriage. They will definitely support you in your quest for a picture-perfect gown. If you’re interested in a timeless, unforgettable look, Simply Blush should be high on your wedding dress boutique list. Also, they organize happy hour discounts on displayed dresses, bridal work out, ladies’ night out, and many such events to bring up together all the lovely women that entrusted the highlight of their special day, to Simply Blush. Visit their site now by clicking here!

If you wish to have the perfect bridal portraits, then you definitely need to choose the perfect gown! We hope that with this article, we’ve tickled your curiosity and you will check these wedding dress shops!

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Greensboro Wedding Venue

The Best Wedding Venues in Greensboro NC

by with 8 Comments Wedding Tips and Tricks

10 Best Wedding Venues in Greensboro, NC

Greensboro in North Carolina is home to some of the most gorgeous wedding venues in the country. It prides itself on stunning vistas, charming locales, and a huge array of locations for you to host your dream wedding. Choosing the wedding venue should be of utmost importance, not only for the location but for the team that will make sure your big day can run seamlessly!

As we’ve mentioned, there’s a plethora of estates to choose from. We know that deciding on one can be a challenging task and there are a lot of details that need to be well thought out. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best wedding venues in Greensboro NC, that not only offer breathtaking atmosphere but exceptional service as well.

Grandover Resort and Conference Center

If you’re looking for wedding venues near Greensboro, you might want to take a peek at the newly renovated Grandover Resort and Conference Center. The Grandover Lawn is the ideal ceremony venue, neatly decorated with two white gazebos and trailing vines. You and your guests can enjoy the exceptional view of the garden areas and take breathtaking photos for your wedding album.

As for the reception, the Grandover offers various authentic ballrooms, suited for any type of wedding. The traditional Grandville ballroom is perfect for larger parties. The ballroom can easily accommodate up to 500 people. If you’re looking for a more intimate setting, the modern Grandville ballroom is an excellent choice, featuring a private balcony overlooking the gardens. The venue also provides an amazing coordinating service. An on-site manager coordinates all the vendors with your wedding planner, ensuring everything runs smoothly!

To learn more about this exceptional venue, head to our Grandover Resort and Conference Center page.

The McAlister - Leftwich House

The McAlister – Leftwich estate is an exceptional wedding venue complied of two historic houses built over 100 years ago. Situated in downtown Greensboro, this estate has been home to some of the most heartfelt and charming wedding celebrations. The Leftwich house has four spacious rooms, often used for cocktail hours or more intimate ceremonies. The McAlister house is freshly renovated and has a huge open space, ideal for larger ceremonies. The estate also features two outdoor locations where your guests can enjoy dining under the stars or take striking photos with the lush landscape as their backdrop.

The House offers one of the best bridal experiences – a lively, vintage-decorated bridal suite, accompanied by a sitting room, dressing room, dining room, and a hair and make-up room. Because of the huge windows, the suite provides the perfect light for your bridal photos. The venue can accommodate up to 150 guests, with both indoor and outdoor options, making it a wonderful choice for your upcoming wedding.

To discover real weddings that have happened at The McAlister – Leftwich House which you can discover here.

The Colonnade at Revolution Mill Events

The Colonnade in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a wedding venue full of distinctive character and industrial beauty. It is located inside the historic Revolution Mill and is catered by Pepper Moon Catering. The gorgeous private courtyard and warm interior area with original maple floors, sizable windows, high ceilings, exposed brick, and authentic ironwork are sure to astound your guests. Brides can take their time and enjoy prepping in the new bridal room, featuring a cabinet full of emergency wedding day supplies – in case something goes wrong.

The site could easily accommodate up to 300 guests in the indoor areas, while the outdoor private courtyard sits around 180 guests, ideal for a smaller ceremony. The staff at Revolution Mill is especially qualified to assist you every step of the way and make the planning and catering process delightful, thanks to their significant experience in organizing and carrying out all kinds of weddings.

Get some more information and see weddings we’ve captured on our Colonnade page!

Starmount Forest Country Club

The Starmount Forest Country Club pops up as a staple when it comes to searching ‘wedding venues near Greensboro’. The ballroom has a capacity of over 300 guests and includes some dazzling amenities. Amenities include elegant chandeliers, hardwood floorings, a faux fireplace, and a sizable bay window overlooking the exceptional golf course. The Dogwood room is especially great for taking bridal photos, as it has a full wall of windows and provides natural lighting.

The outdoor patio is a great choice for smaller weddings, offering a striking view of the golf course and a gas-lit firepit, making it an ideal spot for mingling with guests. The Starmount provides full event planning, including hand-picked menus and decor setup. The skilled staff and managers will be at your disposal throughout your whole event! Take advantage of the restaurant staff, as the chefs can come up with creative ideas to satisfy your taste buds.

To discover weddings we’ve shot here, and learn more about the amenities, packages, and more; check out our Starmount Forest page.

Sedgefield Country Club

Celebrate your dream wedding in full elegance at the Sedgefield Country Club! The sophisticated estate offers a mix of both traditional and contemporary styles, along with skilled and competent staff that helps each couple have their perfect wedding celebration. The Grand Ballroom gives a spectacular view of the golf courses, while the outdoor ceremony site serves pristine landscapes and immaculate vistas.

What makes Sedgefield an unforgettable entry in Greensboro wedding venues is the renowned executive chef who can treat your guests to fine culinary selections. Normally, you can select the menu yourself and the staff will serve it with the utmost excellence and originality. Weddings of any size and sophistication can be hosted with a full variety of food, beverage, and cocktail options.

Check out our Sedgefield page here to see what more this venue has to offer.

Meridian Convention Center

The Meridian Convention Center is a classy wedding venue located a block away from the I-40 in Greensboro, North Carolina. This versatile estate is home to a number of exquisite ballrooms and is one of the biggest wedding venues in the city. It creates a sense of timelessness and charming appeal, making it an excellent choice for couples to celebrate their big day.

The Meridian is ideal for both large-scale and private weddings as it can accommodate a large number of guests. The property offers 5 restored ballrooms, each with a special and unique design. The Madrid Ballroom is perfect for intimate weddings, adorned with ambient lighting and sophisticated design. Those who appreciate a fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics can book the Valencia Ballroom, while the biggest ballroom – The Grand Barcelona; offers plenty of space for dining and dancing. It is ideal for weddings with hundreds of guests.

The staff at the Meridian will help you with anything you might need – from the planning and setup, down to the cleaning. There’s a plethora of rentals you can get, including some complementary items as well.

Acquire some more info on this venue by checking out our Meridian page.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Greensboro Airport

The Embassy Suites by Hilton is a perfect place to enjoy a lavish wedding. The venue looks spectacular because it brings the beauty of nature indoors. The reception hall is decked out with lush plants and a stunning fountain. A highlight of the place is the huge Ambassador Ballroom, which is over 8000 ft in size and can accommodate up to a thousand guests. It features a sky-lit atrium, suited for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Included in the venue is the beautiful bridal room, where you can take your time and prepare for the big day, as well as a honeymoon suite to wind down afterward. The staff is always on deck and ready to help with your every need, making it one of the best Greensboro wedding venues. Lastly, it would a shame not to mention the food, as it’s incredibly delicious and will leave your guests raving for quite some time!

You can view real weddings in action and find some more details about the venue on the Embassy Suites page.

Honorable mentions near Greensboro, North Carolina

The Blue Heron Event Venue (High Point)

If you’re looking for one of the best wedding venues near Greensboro – look no further! In High Point, North Carolina, The Blue Heron Event Venue is a gorgeous estate where you can have your dream wedding, no matter how big or small. With its elegant architecture and scenic waterfront, this spot is perfectly suited to celebrate your love.

There are both indoor and outdoor settings at the Blue Heron where you can have your big day. The banquet space is beautifully decorated with ambient lighting, polished doors, and wide-framed windows, offering a breathtaking experience. Additionally, there’s a reception area with neutral colors and adaptable walls to fit any wedding theme. Lastly, the garden is the centerpiece of this venue, as it features a lakeside view along with a bridge where you and your partner can take ethereal pictures.

The passionate staff at The Blue Heron is committed to making your dream wedding a reality. Therefore, they can help you organize every little detail of your special day and provide top-notch services throughout the celebration. They also offer a wide array of decoration sets, as well as rentals – centerpieces, china, glassware, you name it! The catering and bartending services are of the best quality, so you and your guests can fully enjoy your joyous occasion!

To learn more about capacity, packages, and services, check out our Blue Heron page.

Bella Colina Mansion (Stokesdale)

The Bella Colina Mansion in the heart of Stokesdale, North Carolina is a cozy, small-scale wedding venue. Featuring Tuscan architecture and amazing landscapes, this romantic locale can be a great place to begin your married life. The elegantly decorated mansion, along with its splendid gardens, will create stunning scenery for your special day.

The Mansion’s venues range from blossoming vines to the fairytale-like lakefront lawn. You can say your “I do’s” outside in front of nature’s most breathtaking beauty, followed by taking some magnificent photos in front of the picturesque backdrop the mansion offers. The locale can accommodate around 175 guests, both indoors and outdoors.

Bella Colina also prides itself on its incredibly helpful staff. They will be able to supply you with everything you need for your big day, including china, linen tables, and more! To ensure everything is going in order, the staff also provides event planning services. In terms of dining, buffet and plated meals are offered, along with a bar and catering services.

For even more details, head down to our Bella Colina page to get all the info you need.

Castle McCulloh (Jamestown)

Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, is the historic castle, McCulloh. Constructed in 1832, the mansion is a perfect wedding site, offering luxurious facilities intertwined with 60 acres of wooded areas.

The distinctive aesthetic of the castle is reminiscent of European grandeur – even if it’s in the US. The location gives access to stunning landscapes to you and your loved ones similar to those in Europe. Couples can enjoy their celebration in the Great Hall, accented by the impressive cathedral ceiling. The castle’s authentic opulence is highlighted by the gorgeous oak floors, leaded glass windows, and wrought-iron chandeliers. The Crystal Gardens offer a step back into the Victorian era, thanks to its oblique glass walls and Grecian columns. Couples can choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor areas, so you’re likely to come across something that fits your own idea.

The event staff at Castle McCulloh is committed to arranging outstanding events on their historic grounds. There are several packages to choose from, no matter the wedding’s size. Additionally, you can customize them to your needs – services like catering, bartending and more can be booked on-site!

Learn more about the castle’s history and see some real-life weddings at our Castle McCulloh page.

We hope that you feel excited about your upcoming event and the start of picking out the perfect wedding venue. It’s a huge decision, but hopefully, we provided some estates that will capture the magical essence of your big day. We have photographed weddings at these venues and had a fantastic time – surely you will too! You can check our work in the portfolio tab and see the experiences for yourself.

Helpful Resources for Planning Your Wedding

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LGBT Friendly Photographers near me

LGBT Friendly Wedding Photographers in 2023

by with One Comment Wedding Tips and Tricks

Finding vendors who can provide great service without judgement

Planning a same-sex wedding in 2023 continues to be a source of discrimination for many couples. The challenge of finding LGBT friendly photographers, venues, and other vendors continues to be an issue. Unfortunately many individuals fail to see the need for equity now more than ever in the wedding industry. What is equity? Equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. This simple term seems to be so far from a reality for many same-sex couples trying to plan their wedding in 2023-2024. 

Data from the 2018 LGBTQ wedding survey shows that 74% of LGBTQ couples are paying for weddings entirely themselves. 56% of LGBTQ have the emotional support of at least one set of parents. While planning for such a significant day in their lives, it’s imperative that these couples find wedding vendors that can provide great service without judgement.

Is the right to get married enough?

While the US Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage and legalized it in all fifty states in 2015, the heart of discrimination still rests with many people. As a company that works primarily in the wedding industry, we have many clients who have stories of discrimination. Stories of increased rates, venue cancelations, and services refusals from wedding vendors and wedding venues.

Our Stance on Same Sex Marriage

LGBT Friendly Photographer in Atlanta, Georgia

Optikool illusions is a company that prides itself in providing services to couples regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religious background. We are LGBT friendly photographers. As a company that provides both photography and videography services, it’s our mission to capture the love stories of our clients in the perfect way. Many times, these stories can be the key which opens the eyes and hearts of many of our client’s loved ones. One previous client, Amber Brenton stated, “Our love story video by Optikool illusions is truly what made a lot of people in our families decide to support us on our big day.” 

The rights of the vendor

Many people often forget that behind our brands, entities, and fancy websites, business owners are people. People with beliefs and nonbelief’s navigating this world being faced with daily decisions. For those who may not agree with same-sex marriage or homosexuality, does that give them the right to refuse their services? This question was addressed in 2018 with the Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision. The court overturned the state level decision that the couple was discriminated against. The Supreme Court decided the Commission did not employ religious neutrality, violating the owner’s rights to free exercise of religion. These results cause the intersection of discrimination against sexual orientation or gender identity and religious beliefs of service business still remain a grey area in politics.

Advice to vendors

What advise would we give to other vendors? Choose to honor love. Whether same sex or heterosexual, allow your brand to recognize what love is and respect your client’s decision on how they wish to fulfill that in their lives. A quick google search provides such definitions as “an intense feeling of deep affection” or “a great interest and pleasure in something.” The Bible in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 states “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor other, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.” We believe it is not our place to judge, but to love all people.

Advice to Same-Sex Couples

Seek to find vendors who work to get to know their clients and provide excellent service to all. While we have a way to go with discrimination, we must remember that it is best to have our Big Day handled by those who can a appreciate the love that wedding represents. To all same-sex couples reading this blog, we offer our sincere apology for any discrimination that you may have experienced during your wedding planning process and we extend our services if you are ever in need of photography, videography, or media management services.

Action Required

We are proud to be LGBT friendly photographers, but realize there is more to be done. We are currently compiling a list of LGBT Friendly Wedding Vendors to help our future clients. If you are such a vendor or know of one, please be sure to share their information with us. To read more stories like this one, we encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and our blog. Enjoy this beautiful tribute from bride to her bride.

Helpful Resources for Planning Your Wedding

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